Choosing new hardwood floors for your house can dramatically impact the overall look, feel, and value of your home. Here are key considerations when selecting hardwood floors:
1. Type of Hardwood
Solid Hardwood: Made from a single piece of wood. It can be sanded and refinished multiple times, making it long-lasting.
Engineered Hardwood: Composed of layers with a hardwood veneer on top. It’s more resistant to humidity and temperature changes, making it ideal for areas like basements.
2. Wood Species
Oak: Durable and widely available, with a strong grain pattern.
Maple: Harder than oak with a subtle grain, giving a cleaner look.
Hickory: One of the hardest woods with a dramatic grain.
Walnut: Known for its rich, dark tones.
Exotic Woods: Such as Brazilian cherry or teak, offering unique colors and patterns but typically more expensive.
3. Color and Finish
Light Woods: Make a room feel larger and more open (maple, ash).
Medium Woods: Provide a balanced, classic look (oak, cherry).
Dark Woods: Add elegance and contrast (walnut, mahogany).
Matte Finish: Hides scratches and wear better.
Glossy Finish: Reflects more light, offering a polished appearance but showing wear more easily.
4. Board Width
Narrow Planks: Traditional and create a more formal look.
Wide Planks: More modern, making a space feel expansive and less busy.
5. Installation Method
Nail-Down: Common for solid wood floors, requiring a wooden subfloor.
Glue-Down: Common for engineered wood, ideal for concrete subfloors.
Floating: Floors that click together without being nailed or glued, good for DIY projects.
6. Durability and Maintenance
Janka Hardness Rating: A scale that measures the wood’s resistance to denting and wear. Consider high ratings for high-traffic areas.
Scratch and Moisture Resistance: Engineered wood is better for moisture-prone areas, while solid hardwood can be more sensitive.
7. Cost
Costs can range from $3 to $15 per square foot depending on the wood type and quality. Exotic or specialty woods are typically more expensive.
Hire a professional and get the work done right the first time.